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The Jamaican Government has announced a substantial $31 million emergency funding package to assist private educational institutions, predominantly early childhood facilities, in recovering from destruction caused by Hurricane Melissa last October. Education Minister Senator Dr. Dana Morris Dixon unveiled the initiative during a Senate ministerial address on Friday.

According to preliminary damage assessments conducted by the Early Childhood Commission, 318 privately-operated early childhood institutions and independent schools sustained varying degrees of damage during the hurricane’s devastating passage. The comprehensive evaluation revealed a spectrum of destruction ranging from minor cleanup requirements to severe structural compromise.

The damage classification indicates 122 schools experienced severe impacts, 115 sustained moderate damage, while 81 facilities registered mild effects. Minister Morris Dixon emphasized the human dimension of this educational crisis, noting that “24,143 children and 2,313 staff members enrolled or employed in ECIs have been impacted.”

Highlighting the critical importance of early childhood development, the Minister stated: “Neuroscience and developmental studies are clear: the early years are when the brain is most adaptable. Our institutions are therefore an important pillar of that early development during these critical years. We cannot allow our early childhood institutions to operate in a substandard state.”

The damage assessment identified moderate damage typically involving flooding, debris accumulation, sanitation challenges, roof leaks, and destruction of learning materials. These conditions necessitate immediate cleanup and minor remedial works to restore safe learning environments for young children.

The government will implement a tiered grant system through an extension of the Rapid Resumption Grant program. Severely impacted institutions will receive $120,000, moderately affected facilities get $100,000, while mildly damaged schools will obtain $80,000. These grants are designed to support urgent restoration activities and ensure the safe and timely resumption of educational services.

Minister Morris Dixon indicated that this initial $31 million disbursement represents the first tranche of funding, with additional resources available if needed. The grants complement separate credit facilities offered through the Development Bank of Jamaica, creating a comprehensive recovery framework for the island’s damaged educational infrastructure.

MIDDLE QUARTERS, St Elizabeth — The internationally celebrated YS Falls attraction is poised to welcome visitors once again this Saturday, signaling a major step forward in recovery efforts following the devastating impact of Category 5 Hurricane Melissa in October 2025. Operator Simon Browne confirmed full operational resumption, including tractor transport services, three swimming pools, and waterfall access, though he noted the landscape would initially lack its pre-hurricane lushness as regrowth continues.

The reopening represents a significant achievement for community-led restoration initiatives across St Elizabeth parish. Jason Henzell, chairman of the BREDS Treasure Beach Foundation, expressed measured optimism regarding recovery progress. “We feel extremely proud of the progress that has been made, although we are not where we want to be yet,” Henzell stated, emphasizing the foundation’s role in distributing millions in grants to local businesses and tourism workers.

Beyond YS Falls, the recovery timeline shows encouraging momentum with multiple attractions returning to operation. Captain Dennis’s beach lunch and boat tours have resumed, while the iconic Pelican Bar is scheduled to reopen January 31st with support from corporate sponsors including Red Stripe and Spectrum Roofing. The Appleton Estate Rum Tour is anticipated to resume operations by February, alongside small restaurants like Lobster Pot and Wassy Jerk that have already reopened.

BREDS Foundation’s comprehensive recovery program has distributed approximately $55-60 million in combined cash, vouchers, and building materials. The initiative provided business grants ranging from $150,000 to $580,000 to over 20 enterprises, supported 300 tourism workers with employment grants, and assisted more than 400 farmers through agricultural vouchers. The NCB Foundation contributed significantly with $5.2 million in activated vouchers.

The recovery effort now enters its third phase focusing on housing reconstruction, utilizing innovative building designs developed specifically for hurricane resilience. A new affordable housing model featuring concrete columns—already implemented in three structures—represents a sustainable approach to rebuilding stronger communities. Non-profit partners including Creators of Hope have joined these efforts, addressing needs for the most vulnerable populations while coordinating container shipments of roofing materials for heavily affected areas.

Jamaica’s education system has mobilized an extensive nationwide response to address the psychological aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, which devastated the island in October 2025. Education Minister Senator Dr. Dana Morris Dixon revealed that comprehensive psychosocial support has been provided through 2,086 specialized sessions, reaching approximately 50,000 students and 4,000 educators across northwestern regions identified as experiencing trauma. The initiative has additionally extended support to 167 regional education staff members and over 9,700 parents affected by the catastrophic weather event. Minister Morris Dixon emphasized the critical importance of addressing psychological wellbeing before attempting to restore normal educational standards, acknowledging that ‘It’s not perfect, it’s not going to be perfect, especially after trauma.’ The ministry’s multifaceted approach combines virtual and in-person counseling services, leveraging both public resources and private expertise. Thirty-six private clinicians have been enlisted island-wide to supplement the government’s guidance counseling teams, with the ministry compensating psychologists and psychiatrists for their specialized services. International collaboration has strengthened these efforts, including a visiting delegation from Israel with expertise in school-based psychosocial intervention and support from global organizations such as UNICEF and Children First. The program further integrates resources from the University Hospital of the West Indies, the Ministry of Health and Wellness, and faith-based counseling services. Minister Morris Dixon highlighted the interconnected challenges of restoring educational quality with infrastructure recovery, noting that adequate water and electricity access remains prerequisite to normalizing school operations, particularly in severely impacted parishes like Westmoreland.

Convicted former gang chieftain Joel Andem has initiated fresh legal proceedings from behind bars, petitioning Jamaica’s highest judicial authority to reinstate his appeal against a 2009 firearms conviction that added two decades to his existing prison term.

The legal maneuver targets the verdict delivered by Supreme Court Justice Paulette Williams, who found Andem guilty of discharging ammunition at law enforcement personnel in Kintyre, St. Andrew, back in 2001. The court determined the former Gideon Warriors Gang leader had committed acts of shooting with intent and unlawful firearm possession, imposing a 20-year sentence to be served consecutively with his prior incarceration.

Andem’s current application reached the Court of Appeal docket on January 12, 2024, where it will be reviewed by President Justice Marva McDonald-Bishop alongside Justice Kissock Laing and Acting Appellate Justice Carolyn Tie-Powell. Defense attorney John Clarke represents the incarcerated petitioner, who approaches the conclusion of his initial 20-year term originating from 2005 weapons convictions.

This constitutes neither Andem’s first judicial challenge nor his inaugural encounter with appellate scrutiny. His 2007 attempt to overturn the 2005 conviction—stemming from another armed confrontation with police at Skyline Drive, St. Andrew—resulted in comprehensive rejection by the appellate tribunal.

During those proceedings, Andem contended that trial court prejudice had violated his constitutional right to impartial adjudication. He asserted the presiding judge had previously made biased remarks about him during separate proceedings involving his common-law spouse, creating irreparable judicial prejudice.

The appellate court thoroughly examined claims of actual versus perceived bias, ultimately ruling that mere judicial awareness of a defendant’s notorious reputation cannot automatically establish prejudicial danger. The bench emphasized that Jamaican jurists routinely preside over cases involving defendants with widespread public notoriety without compromising judicial impartiality.

Andem’s criminal legacy traces back to 1983 with an initial larceny conviction, escalating through decades of escalating offenses until his 2004 capture in Clarksonville following a massive police-military operation. Former Police Commissioner Francis Forbes once characterized his operational methods as resembling ‘urban guerrilla warfare,’ reflecting the significant public safety concerns his activities generated.

The ongoing legal proceedings unfold within Jamaica’s expanded Court of Appeal complex on King Street, representing the latest chapter in the complex judicial history of one of the nation’s most infamous criminal figures.

FALMOUTH, Trelawny — In a significant boost to post-hurricane recovery efforts, Excellence Oyster Bay Resort has contributed a substantial US$21,000 donation to Falmouth Public General Hospital. The contribution comes as a critical response to the extensive damage inflicted by Hurricane Melissa, which obliterated approximately 90% of the medical facility’s roofing system in late October 2025.

The financial support was formally presented through a collaborative initiative with We Care, Falmouth Public General Hospital—an organization alternatively recognized as Friends of the Falmouth Hospital. This partnership will specifically channel resources toward urgent roof reconstruction projects. Beyond the monetary assistance, the resort further demonstrated its commitment by delivering specially curated gifts to uplift young patients in the pediatric wing.

Carrington McLennon, Chief Executive Officer of the hospital, expressed profound appreciation while noting that the resort was the first entity to transform promises into tangible action. ‘Numerous individuals and organizations have visited our premises expressing intentions to help, but Excellence took the pioneering step of actualizing their commitment,’ McLennon stated. He emphasized the symbolic importance of conducting the handover ceremony publicly, encouraging other pledged donors to expedite their contributions.

Bealias Jimenez, Quality Manager at Excellence Oyster Bay, articulated the resort’s philosophy of community solidarity during the official ceremony. ‘Hurricane Melissa tested our collective resilience, but this donation embodies our message to the hospital staff and patients: you are not alone. The Excellence brand stands firmly with you,’ Jimenez affirmed. He acknowledged the severe operational challenges faced by the medical team, emphasizing that ‘health remains the fundamental priority—without it, we can accomplish nothing.’

Winsome Harper, Chair of We Care FPGH, provided contextual background regarding the hurricane’s devastating impact. The Category 5 storm struck on October 28, 2025, causing catastrophic structural damage and necessitating immediate emergency response. Harper praised hospital staff who heroically remained on-site during and after the disaster, providing continuous medical services despite the hazardous conditions. She additionally recognized international support from the Government of Spain and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), which facilitated the establishment of a temporary field hospital to maintain healthcare services.

The donated funds originated from the resort’s ‘Share the Love’ philanthropic initiative, which allocated a percentage from every guest reservation during late 2025 specifically toward hurricane recovery efforts. In a remarkable display of global solidarity, Michelle and Martin Fisher Hippel—guests from Munich, Germany who witnessed the hurricane’s aftermath—separately contributed approximately US$90,000 to the hospital’s restoration campaign, further amplifying the international support network.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa’s devastating passage across Jamaica on October 28, 2023, the nation’s education infrastructure faced unprecedented challenges. The Category 5 storm inflicted severe damage to school facilities, disrupting learning environments and testing institutional resilience across multiple parishes including St Elizabeth, Westmoreland, Trelawny, Manchester and St Ann.

A coordinated recovery initiative spearheaded by the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information (MoESYI) and its implementing agency, the National Education Trust (NET), has been systematically restoring educational facilities with an emphasis on sustainable reconstruction rather than temporary fixes. Under the leadership of Executive Director Latoya Harris-Ghartey, NET has undertaken comprehensive repair work at more than 35 affected institutions as part of ongoing post-hurricane restoration efforts.

The rehabilitation philosophy consciously prioritizes quality and durability over speed, with Harris-Ghartey emphasizing that “the objective is not simply to return to what existed before, but to rebuild with improved standards that enhance durability and reduce vulnerability to future climatic events.” This approach represents a paradigm shift in disaster response, focusing on creating infrastructure capable of withstanding future environmental challenges.

At Lacovia Primary and Infant School in St Elizabeth—which had already contended with Hurricane Beryl’s impact in July 2024—the intervention proved transformative. Principal Stacia Williams-Brown characterized the support as a “lifeline” that has reassured students, teachers, and parents that their safe learning environment would be fully restored.

The effectiveness of preemptive resilience investments was demonstrated at Munro College, where previous roofing upgrades facilitated by NET significantly mitigated storm damage. Principal Dr. Mark Smith confirmed that the institution fared considerably better than comparable facilities, validating the government’s strategy of proactive infrastructure reinforcement.

Harris-Ghartey noted that the performance of enhanced systems during a Category 5 hurricane proves that investing in resilience before disasters strike ultimately conserves resources and protects lives. This evidence-based approach has enabled institutions like St Elizabeth Technical High School to resume operations within three weeks post-storm, minimizing educational disruption and restoring essential routines for the student population.

Jamaican authorities are set to commence fortification work on the sea wall at Border, a vital commercial corridor straddling St Elizabeth and Westmoreland parishes, as early as next week. This coastal defense initiative aims to safeguard recently reconstructed vendor facilities against oceanic turbulence and mitigate future hurricane damage.

Industry, Investment, and Commerce Minister Senator Aubyn Hill provided senators with a project update last Friday, confirming that technical clearances have been finalized, paving the way for immediate construction. Minister Hill verified that the quantity surveyor from the Jamaica Business Development Corporation has approved the project scope, which has now been forwarded to the contractor.

The revetment structure represents a critical protective measure for local vendors who have long contended with the threat of storm surges and rough seas. The engineering solution is designed to withstand severe weather events while addressing environmental considerations, particularly wastewater management. Minister Hill emphasized collaborative efforts with the Tourism Enhancement Fund to implement wastewater diversion systems that prevent oceanic contamination.

This infrastructure project responds to the devastating impact of Hurricane Melissa, which struck on October 28, 2025, causing substantial damage to the vending complex and disrupting local livelihoods. The sea wall construction complements broader rehabilitation efforts that have already transformed the commercial landscape.

Earlier this January, the ministry inaugurated 51 rebuilt vendor shops—expanding from the original 37—featuring hurricane-resistant roofing with protective straps, reinforced concrete foundations, modern sanitation stations, and a new communal kitchen facility with eleven cooking areas. These enhancements directly support approximately 70 vendors, 26 fishermen, and an estimated 350-400 family members dependent on the Border economy.

The revitalization project has garnered substantial cross-sector support, with J Wray & Nephew contributing to shop beautification and the Tourism Enhancement Fund providing practical equipment for food preparation. New signage now marks the renewed commercial corridor, signaling the area’s economic resurgence.